Our Activities, objectives and Statement of Purpose

LISA Committee of Management Mission:-  That of continuously and consistently seeking - "Intended action from identified issues"

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 OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
“To empower and support families with a member living in supported accommodation to better understand service provision procedures, care policies, standards and values, and thereby be better positioned to scrutinise service providers”.

One of the best places for those with an intellectual disability is to continue living with their family. Unfortunately, parents do not live forever, or are able to provide adequate support for ever, and other family members may not be able to take on the commitment. So, we urge families not to leave it to the last moment before investigating the option of supported accommodation,or similar, for their family member. Equally, if your family member is living in supported accommodation we can help you better understand service level and quality entitlements.
 
We are a small unfunded support and lobby group working where the large funded advocacy groups are generally reluctant to tread. Our aim is to encourage quality of life improvement for those with an intellectual disability living in supported accommodation, especially that provided by Disability Services of the Department of Human services, by focusing our energy on those factors which directly effect the level and quality of service at the service point.

Those with an intellectual disability are generally unable to advocate effectively for themselves. They are therefore very reliant on support staff to provide a comprehensive level of care which should be designed and intended to enhance their lifestyle to the full extent of their ability. It is disappointing that many supported accommodation residents, especially those with high support needs, receive mainly basic/minder style care, with quite limited developmental, interactive and social activities.

Comprehensive care is often limited through the inability of service provider management to set, monitor and maintain staff work value expectations, and to provide support for the effective supervision necessary to ensure residents receive an overall quality lifestyle. Many service providers are also limited in their ability to select staff with the right attitude, and to monitor that the right attitude is maintained.

Where the overall level of care is good, credit is usually due to the integrity of particular direct care staff. We consider that service provider management should ensure the residents of all homes receive an overall quality lifestyle, not for residents to be lucky to have good staff.

Some service providers have a long standing reputation for making it as difficult as possible for anyone to question their level and quality of service provision, being more concerned with self-preservation than self-assessment and real customer service. It is therefore important for families and friends to be aware of what they can expect of the service, in order that they may ensure the person with the disability is receiving the very best service. Some of the areas which help to ensure service quality are:-

    * Government response timelines, and government department meaningful responses.
    * An effective formal grievance process.
    * Compliance with care plans and/or service contract to provide QOL care.
    * Encourage compliance with Care Policies, Standards and Values.
    * Provide tenancy agreements.
    * A comprehensive Key Worker policy
    * Parent, family and general public involvement in service management.
    * More effective Community Visitors.
    * Have service providers provide pro-active, transparent and truly accountable services.